Pages

Monday, January 30, 2012

How to Add a Toadstool Effect to a Cape or Jacket

1.Use an existing cape pattern or draft your own
from a hooded jacket. Cut out the fabric and then it’s time to cut and attach your
white spots before constructing the cape! For the pictured cape I used red
corduroy for the outer fabric and white corduroy for the spots. To line the
cape I used a red and white polka dot fabric.

2.Use a variety of different sized cups and bowls to
create the toadstool spots. I use three different sizes – small (cup), medium
(small bowl) and large (medium sized mixing bowl).

3.Trace around the cup/bowl in
pencil on wrong side of the white cord fabric. Cut out the circle taking care
to keep the shape and not fray the fabric as the finished circle will have no
seam allowance.

4.Place the cut circles (wrong side down) on the
right side of the red outer fabric of the cape body and hood. You can play
around with these and re arrange them until you are happy. With each toadstool
cape I have made they have been placed differently which has added character
and been closer to nature!

5.Pin in place as pictured and sew with a small zig
zag stitch around the edge of the circle, taking it slow to ensure that there
are no bits of the edge that get missed. If this happens simply unpick that
section of the circle and re-stitch. My preferred zig zag stitch is 3 in length
and 0.5 in width to keep the edging from excess fraying.

6.Trim
around the edges of the zig zag after you have stitched it to neaten it up and
then construct your cape as directed!